"Are you leaving straight away? You could explore our training grounds," Shi Huang suggested.
"Could I possibly pick up a technique or two?" Long Tian inquired.
"If you agree to join, I'll offer you as many powerful techniques as you want," Shi Huang replied.
"Then I have no reason to linger here," Long Tian retorted, his lips curling into a smile.
Shi Huang sighed deeply. It was a regretful loss to let such a talented young man like Long Tian slip through his fingers. He noticed that Long Tian was at the peak of Qi Foundation at his high school age. Moreover, as a scion of the Long family, it would be advantageous to maintain good relations with him.
As Long Tian and Ling Han were about to depart, Shi Huang called out, "Wait, Long Tian."
Long Tian turned and met Shi Huang's gaze, "Do you have more to say, Master Shi? Our agreement is already settled," he stated.
"I know, but I want to give you something," Shi Huang announced. He tossed a medallion to Long Tian, its surface intricately engraved with the Wudang Sect's logo of two dragons supporting the sky.
Upon catching the medallion, Long Tian was taken aback. It was a symbol of honor, an invitation to visit the Wudang Sect at his leisure.
"With that medallion, you can visit our sect anytime you wish. You can also train and borrow the Sect's techniques as long as you use them within the sect's premises," Shi Huang explained.
"Are you serious, Master Shi? And why?" Long Tian asked curiously, one eyebrow raised in suspicion.
"Long Tian, I greatly respect you for your extraordinary talent, your temperament, and how you handle situations. Hence, you deserve this medallion. Consider it a token of peace between the Wudang Sect and the Long family," Shi Huang elaborated.
"I see. We both don't want any discord or trouble, so, I accept this medallion. Thank you, Master Shi," Long Tian responded, a smile playing on his lips.
"But keep in mind, you can't act recklessly within the Sect. If you do, I'll be forced to revoke the medallion," Shi Huang warned.
"Don't worry, Master Shi, I won't cause any trouble," Long Tian assured, a sly grin on his face.
"I hope so," Shi Huang nodded.
"Then, Master Shi, elders, we shall take our leave," Long Tian bid his farewell and left the temple peak.
**********
Long Tian and Ling Han took to the skies on their flying swords, heading straight for the gates.
He noticed the eyes of numerous disciples on him, some filled with arrogance.
Disciples from Sects are generally conceited, believing themselves superior. Long Tian simply dismissed them as jesters on the grand stage.
*************
Meanwhile, as Long Tian and Ling Han were returning to Tianzhou, Qin Chen was engaged in a rigorous training session with Ning Yuan in a dense forest.
Thump!
Thump!
Thump!
The echoes of their intense combat reverberated through the serene forest.
Qin Chen and Ning Yuan were embroiled in an arduous battle. Though they appeared serious, they were merely training. Ning Yuan believed that hands-on combat experience was far more valuable than any technique passed down through generations.
Bang!
A powerful strike from Qin Chen sent Ning Yuan staggering backward.
Far from anger, Ning Yuan cracked a smile, "You've improved considerably since our last spar, Qin Chen," she commented.
"Did you notice? Old Han trained me well, he taught me quite a lot," Qin Chen boasted.
"That elder? Seems he holds you in high regard, but don't get too cocky!" Ning Yuan retorted, extending her hand.
Suddenly, a giant hand materialized in the air, hurtling towards Qin Chen. His eyes widened in shock, raising his hands in defense.
Bang!
The massive hand struck Qin Chen. His body quaked under the colossal pressure of the forceful blow.
Gritting his teeth, he attempted to resist the hand's power, but it was too potent.
Bang!
He was slammed onto the ground, fracturing the earth beneath him.
Ning Yuan approached Qin Chen, a playful smile dancing on her lips. "Where's your arrogance now, kid?" She teased.
Gasping for breath, Qin Chen retorted, "You cheated, you used your martial spirit," he protested.
"Heh, consider it a lesson, kid. You never know how powerful your opponent might be, so never get too arrogant," Ning Yuan said, a playful smile spreading across her face.
But her expression changed in an instant when she saw Qin Chen whose pupils had suddenly turned white.
"Qin Chen, are you okay?" She furrowed her brows.
There was no response from Qin Chen, and instead, there was an anomaly in the aura he was radiating.
She chose to touch him, but just as she was about to...
Boom!
An explosion of aura suddenly occurred within Qin Chen's body, creating a strong wind that blew Ning Yuan away.
She managed to stabilize herself, though she could still feel the overwhelming aura emanating from Qin Chen's body.
"What the hell happened to him?" She murmured, furrowing her brows.
As she was about to take a step, her entire body felt stiff, and she couldn't move.
A few seconds later, her eyes widened at the sight before her.
Above Qin Chen, a giant figure of a cultivator, with long white hair, appeared in astral form.
Her body suddenly began to tremble, as if intimidated by this figure.
"W-what the hell is that?" She stammered.
The figure appeared majestic and grand, as if anyone who gazed upon it would bow down and tremble.
But not long after, the figure slowly disappeared, and the terrifying aura also faded away.
Ning Yuan immediately rushed to Qin Chen's side.
"Qin Chen, what was that?" She asked earnestly.
Qin Chen slowly got up, holding his head which was still aching.
However, his expression was one of confusion. "What do you mean?" He asked, baffled.
"That huge figure, didn't you feel it? It appeared right above you," Ning Yuan said with utmost seriousness.
"Miss Ning, I truly don't know what you're talking about. I don't even know what happened," Qin Chen said.
Ning Yuan stroked her chin, furrowing her brows. If Qin Chen didn't know what happened, then it must have come from his sea of consciousness.
This was just like when Long Tian strangled her, and when she asked him, he didn't know what happened.
She suddenly had an insight. "Qin Chen, it seems like that was your martial spirit!" she exclaimed.
"What? I manifested a martial spirit?" Qin Chen asked in confusion.
"Yes, I'm sure of it! I also believe your martial spirit is incredibly rare and powerful," Ning Yuan declared.
"Is that so? Well, then it's a good thing," Qin Chen smiled.
"Don't be too relieved, it's still not certain until the day of the martial spirit awakening," Ning Yuan cautioned.
"Oh right, Miss Ning, when is the school conducting the martial spirit awakening test?" Qin Chen inquired curiously.
"In two weeks," she replied.